







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
| All of my work is in that laptop and I don't have any backup! | |
| You don't know the story behind it. | |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
| Okay, I want to have something similar then! | |
| By the way, the deposit is £3,000 and non-negotiable... | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | |
| How much rice do you need? | |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | |
| I need to wake him up now! | |
| What line is it on? | |